Andrew Symonds, the mercurial all-rounder who was part of Australia’s two World Cup-winning teams in 2003 and 2007, passed away on Saturday night in a car accident. The 46-year-old, who played 26 Tests, 198 one-day internationals, and 14 T20Is for Australia from 1998 to 2009, was involved in a single-car accident outside Townsville in Queensland state.
Symonds' fatal crash comes just months after the deaths of fellow Australian greats Warne and Marsh, who both died unexpectedly from heart attacks.
The larger-than-life Symonds was hugely popular, not only for his hard-hitting approach to the game but also for his easy-going personality. He was born in Birmingham in England and had a chance to play for them as well in cricket.
Indian cricket fraternity pays deep respect to Andrew Symonds who passed away at the age of 46
Domestically, he played for Queensland for 17 seasons, while appearing for Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire, and Surrey in the English County Championship and for Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
Post his retirement from all forms of the game in 2012, Symonds moved into broadcasting and was a regular presence in the commentary box during Australia's home season as well as in the Big Bash League.
As the Australian cricket fraternity cope with the devastating news of Symonds’ untimely death, Twitter was filled with tributes to the all-rounder from his former teammates and colleagues.
Here are some:
